Environmental Action Committee
Town of Princeton Environmental Action Committee (EAC)
Meeting Minutes
February, 18, 2021
Meeting called to order at 7:02pm
Committee members present (via remote):
Corey Burnham-Howard (CBH), Charlie Cary (CC), Matt Charpentier (MC), Claire Golding (CG), Phil Gott (PG), Chris Samoiloff (CS)
Committee members absent: Phoebe Moore (PM)
Public Comment: None. Helga Lyons (HL) present as liaison from Advisory Committee.
Rick Rys (PMLD Light Commissioner) also present.
Review & Approve Minutes from January 21, 2021 Meeting:
MOTION to approve with minor grammatical edit.
Motion: CC; 2d: CG; Vote: 5-0 (New member MC abstained.)
New EAC Member/Student Member Update
Matt Charpentier has been been appointed by the Selectboard as a new member of the EAC.
EAC received applications from three students interested in the EAC Student Member position: Anna White, Paul Fuchs, and Caitlan Davis.
EAC members discussed the three candidates. PG expressed disappointment that none of them were in attendance at this meeting, and other EAC members agreed. CG suggested asking the Selectboard if we could accept multiple student members. EAC members generally agreed that as a graduate student, Caitlan’s application may be outside of the scope of the student position; CBH suggested that she might be better situated to fill a full EAC member position, and MC suggested that perhaps a non-voting “Associate EAC Member” could be created for Caitlan, with Selectboard approval. CS suggested choosing one applicant now in case Selectboard does not approve additional members. PG noted that the public was always welcome to attend EAC meetings, and suggested EAC actively encourage members of the public to attend.
EAC members generally and unanimously agree for CG to ask Selectboard about allowing EAC to accept the two high school applicants as EAC Student Members and consider adding a non-voting Associate Member position for the grad student.
MOTION to accept up to two student EAC members for terms of now through FY 2021-22 subject to Selectboard approval.
Motion: CG; 2d: PG; Vote: 6-0.
ACTION: CG to contact Karen Cruise, Chair of Selectboard regarding whether Selectboard would consider appointing additional Student EAC Members and/or an Associate Member
ACTION: CG to contact student applicants with updates on status of their application, as well as to inquire if each is willing and able to make a commitment to attend at least 80% of meetings through June 2022 and participate and engage in EAC actions.
ACTION: CG to contact candidate Caitlan Davis to inquire about her residency as of Fall 2021—whether in Princeton or away at graduate school, as well as particular EAC project of interest in which she might like to engage with her skills.
Green Communities Designation Application
CBH provided update.
Green Communities Designation Application was filed in early December (prior to the end of December deadline). Kelly Brown from Department of Energy Resources emailed CBH, Town Administrator Sherry Patch, and Sarah Adams from Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC), requesting more information be submitted/clarified by January 29, 2021. The information sought was timely provided.
This week, CBH was cc’d on an email that indicates that the Selectboard must now choose an “Alternative Compliance Policy” as an alternative to the Green Community Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Policy since all of Princeton’s vehicle fleet falls into the exempt category from the fuel-efficient policy requirements. That issue is on the Selectboard’s 2/23/21 agenda.
ACTION: CBH and PG to attend Selectboard 2/23/21 10a meeting where Sarah Adams from CMRPC will ask the Selectboard to choose an “Alternative Compliance Policy.”
Helga Lyons noted that the designs for the proposed new Public Safety Building are being presented at a public meeting on 2/25/21 at 7p. She expressed her concerns with her understanding that the new building might see an increase in energy use as compared to the existing Public Safety Building. She also wondered whether Green Community grant funds could be used to install energy efficient options at new building.
CBH noted that she had recently corresponded with Karen Cruise, Selectboard Chair, and noted that one of the EAC Priority Action Items approved by the Selectboard was for the EAC to work with the Building Committee on energy efficiency and environmental-related choices, and that the EAC looks forward to that opportunity when asked to participate.
CBH responded to Helga’s inquiry that it was unclear to her whether Green Community funding could be used for energy efficiency initiatives in the new building.
ACTION: CBH to inquire with CMRPC and/or DOER about whether Green Community funds could be used to fund energy efficiency initiatives in construction of new Public Safety Building.
Rick Rys noted that PMLD was preparing and ready to make upgrades to reduce energy use at PMLD building.
Municipal Vulnerability Planning (MVP) Program
PG provided update.
Princeton’s core MVP team met with CMRPC last Tuesday and discussed the final report. An executive summary will be added to the report and a few minor changes will be made to the substance of the report. A public information session is upcoming—date to be determined. The MVP report will also be posted for public review. The MVP report must be finalized and submitted to the Commonwealth by June, and once submitted and approved the Town is then eligible to apply for MVP grant funds.
Rick Rys noted the recent power outages in Texas as an example of the need for vulnerability preparedness. Rick suggested that one way to minimize damage to a community associated with an extended power outage is ensuring food, water, and generator power. CG suggested that Rick might provide that feedback to the MVP team by participating in the upcoming public listening session.
Princeton Municipal Light Department (PMLD)
PG provided update. (See summary in attached notes from PG.)
Rick Rys added information regarding current PMLD actions.
PMLD is asking EAC if EAC would be willing to help PMLD with a survey to assess customer interest in paying a premium to purchase renewable power. Rick Rys says it may be premature for the survey at this time. EAC members generally and unanimously agree to, at the appropriate time, assist PMLD in assessing customer interest in renewable energy.
Potential Warrant Article Fossil-Fuel Moratorium
Town resident Richard Chase had asked if EAC would consider supporting a Town Meeting Warrant Article that would be a resolution to encourage the State Legislature to “Mandate the De-Carbonization of All New Construction of Buildings in the Commonwealth” by amending the State Building Code to restrict fossil fuel infrastructure in new construction statewide and adopt a Zero Net Energy Stretch Code. EAC members PG, PM, and CBH were to research proposed Zero-Net Energy Code and de-carbonization of new construction, including related costs-benefits, and report back to EAC at next meeting. PG and CBH reported that they sought information from Richard Chase, and that Richard Chase no longer intends to pursue such a warrant article.
PG noted a bill in the state legislature: S.9 –“An Act creating a next-generation roadmap for Massachusetts climate policy”. PG understood that the bill would require net zero new construction, but that per Governor’s suggested amendments, if a Green Community does not opt to adopt the Net Zero Construction update to the Stretch Energy Code, the community would not lose Green Community Status.
ACTION: PG to continue to follow S.9 and provided EAC with updates.
ACTION: CBH to attempt to find a redlined version of the amendments to Mass. Gen. L. c. 21N that S.9 proposes, and share with PG.
Waste and Recycling
CG provided update.
The Waste and Recycling Committee (WRC) has received 613 responses to its survey. The results will be shared with the public soon.
Appointment of MC as an alternate on the WRC is on the Selectboard’s 2/23/21 agenda.
Next Steps:
the WRC will be working on a Request for Proposal to waste haulers;
the WRC will be working on an Implementation Plan
the WRC is working get some questions answered regarding the Town’s contract with Wheelabrator
The Town of Sterling is creating a Composting Facility that will accept food waste. CG reported that as a member of the Wachusett Regional Recycling Center, this may be available to Princeton residents.
ACTION: CS to follow-up in seeking more information and details on this facility so that the EAC might inform Princeton residents. CS will also inquire as to whether this facility will accept industrial food waste (such as from Thomas Prince School).
Communications
CS provided updates.CG gave ideas to CS for future newsletters: WPI Projects; Compost; Pesticide-Free Gardening; Organic Lawn Care; etc. CS suggested WPI Project updates not be in newsletter until further into process. CS suggested spring-themed issue.
ACTION: For March Newsletter, MC to draft an article on invasive plants
ACTION: For March Newsletter, CBH to draft article.
ACTION: CS to forward list of proposed topic ideas to CBH.
EAC discussed ensuring the following information is in newsletters: link to newsletter subscription page; link to Environmental Action Plan (EAP); links from webpage on Green Living and/or reading list; Townwide Earth Month Cleanup (for March/April newsletters)
EAC Webpage Updates
CS provided updates.
CS recommended adding a link on EAC page to Wachusett Garden Club list/calendar of presentations.
ACTION: All to send updates on ongoing action items to CS for webpage update, as applicable.
WPI Project Updates
CC provided updates.
CC and PG continue to work with WPI students on analysis of the supply of available wood as a sustainable energy source. The plan was for the students’ first 7 weeks of the project to focus on methodology for research, and the second 7 weeks to focus on research. PG and CC had to redirect the students’ research to focus on: How much cut wood is available? How much is that wood worth? Where is that wood going?
CG reported that she and CBH had an initial meeting with the group of WPI students that they will be working with on a project related to Light Pollution in town. They may check-in with the student group periodically.
Local Cultural Council Grant Opportunities
CBH reported that there has been no follow up from the Princeton Cultural Council on the EAC’s grant application, which sought funds for an EAC Environmental Speaker Series. CBH noted that grants were expected to be announced between late February and late March.
CBH reported on the planning work by CBH, CS, and CC with regard to the Speaker Series. The rough Series topics and schedule is: Energy Use (April); Healthy Landscape (June); Water Quality (September); Climate (November)
CBH reported that she and CC and CS reached out to several entities regarding proposed April Speaker Series topic: “Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Alternatives.”
Two speakers are interested: Rick Rys, PMLD Light Commissioner; and Joe Coles with the HELPS program.
April speaker presentation is proposed for April 1 at 7p, pending speaker availability.
CS, CC, and CBH will work to finalize presentation details.
PG noted his intention to run for PMLD Light Commissioner and recused himself from discussions on this presentation topic in case there could be any conflict of interest.
CBH reached out to Karen Cruise and Sherry Patch regarding best practices and forum for virtual Speaker Series. EAC was encouraged to use one of Town’s Go-to-Meeting licenses rather than purchase a Zoom subscription. CBH was told link to Speaker Series Event can be shared publicly but preferably limited to Princeton residents.
CBH noted that in order to pursue Speaker Series without yet knowing about LCC grants, it would be helpful if EAC voted on whether it would be willing to spend portions of its Town Fiscal Year Budget on the event, including marketing and communications.MOTION: In the event PCC grant is not received, EAC agrees to spend necessary funds from its FY budget on its 2021 Environmental Speaker Series.
Motion: CG; 2d: CS; Vote: 6-0.
Fitchburg-Westminster Landfill
CBH reported that she has no knowledge of any updates on the Fitchburg/Westminster Sanitary Landfill proposed expansion.
Town Draft Snow and Ice Policy
CBH reported that she had noticed a “Draft Snow and Ice Policy” on a recent Selectboard agenda and had reached out to the Selectboard to note that the EAP contains an action item of drafting such a policy with consideration of the balance of public safety with environmental concerns—including of sand and salt impacts to the environment. The Selectboard agreed that now would be a good time to include environmental impacts.
ACTION: CBH and possibly PM to meet with Sherry Patch and Ben Metcalf on March 4 or 5 for project kick-off meeting.
Earth Month
Earth Month Committee meets on 2/22/21 to begin planning Princeton’s April 2021 Earth Month Townwide Cleanup.
ACTION: CG and CBH to attend that meeting as members of Earth Month Committee.
Agenda Items for Next Meeting (March 18, 2021 at 7p via online forum)
Public Comment
Review and Approve Minutes of February 18, 2021
EAC Member Interest/Applications
Green Communities Updates
MVP Updates
PMLD Updates
Waste and Recycling Updates
Communications Updates
EAC Town Webpage Updates
WPI Project Updates
LCC Grant/EAC Speaker Series Updates
Draft Snow and Ice Policy Updates
S.9 Updates/Information
Agenda items for Next Meeting
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
MOTION to adjourn.
Motion: CC; 2d: PG; Vote: 6-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Corey Burnham-Howard